Chapter Award of Distinction

The Chapter Award of Distinction recognizes exceptional collegiate fraternity chapters demonstrating excellence in operations, involvement in their larger interfraternal community and a commitment to a positive fraternity experience.

Award criteria & nomination form

A potential Chapter Award of Distinction recipient is:

A highly-functioning chapter in compliance with NIC standards and that maintains a healthy relationship with its inter/national organization.

A chapter that exemplifies and seeks to educate others about a values-based fraternity experience.

Making measurable impact on the wellbeing of chapter members, the community and/or its campus.

2017 Chapter award of distinction recipients

Alpha Tau Omega

Kappa Beta Chapter, Troy University
Kappa Beta Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2016, and topped off the milestone by being named ATO’s Top Chapter of the year. Scholarship, member accountability, campus and community support, leadership development programming and an effective, fun brotherhood make this chapter ATO’s best and an outstanding representative of fraternity.

“These brothers of ATO are excelling in all facets of community, campus and Greek life,” wrote a campus nominator. “Troy University stresses a high moral code of behavior called the Trojan Way, which accentuates respect for others, thoughtful speech, appropriate dress, responsible behavior and adherence to policies. The men of Kappa Beta not only follow the Trojan Way, they also encourage classmates to do the same.”

Among other accolades, the chapter has also received the Dean’s Cup, the highest honor from its university, in eight out of their 10 years on campus. A desire to be “great” instead of “good” is the driving force behind the chapter’s success. This chapter has developed young men who will make a difference in the world.

Beta theta pi

Alpha Tau Chapter, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Alpha Tau Chapter of Beta Theta Pi has been recognized with the organization’s highest honor, the Knox Award, four consecutive years. Within the organization, Alpha Tau is known for continuous commitment to excellence, due in part to its ongoing success and demonstrated leadership on campus at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

What stands out most about this chapter is its attention to issues affecting women on campus. They recently held a women’s formal dinner with eight executive officers from various sororities to have an open conversation about how fraternity men can assist with the prevention of sexual assault and support of survivors. The chapter’s commitment to bettering its campus community is also evident through an annual faculty dinner, where more than 15 professors attend to discuss the chapter’s role and impact in Lincoln and at UNL.

“Alpha Tau Chapter is not just positioned for success, they are pursuing success on a daily basis with the support of their advisors, alumni and their local community,” one nominator wrote. “They share a true brotherhood, encourage the personal growth of their members and foster a sense of home.”

Overall, this chapter takes a great deal of responsibility in addressing alcohol abuse, sexual misconduct, diversity and inclusion, and other important issues facing its campus. In a recent chapter newsletter, Chapter President Stephen Enke wrote, “…it is imperative that we are part of the solution on campus—and leave a better campus to those who follow after us. Our plans to achieve success range from holding awareness events for the community to simply living the high values of Beta Theta Pi.”

beta theta pi

Epsilon Chapter, Centre College
Epsilon Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at Centre College stands apart from peer organizations and continually attracts high quality members because of its dedication to values-based recruitment. “During my most recent visit, I was extremely impressed to witness the intentionality as they identified their top candidates,” one nominator wrote. “They were focused on building relationships and had advanced conversations that were grounded in friendship, leadership and academic excellence.”

The chapter has received the Fraternity’s highest honor, the Knox Award, three times in a row. They’ve also reached top honors on campus with Centre College’s Chapter of Excellence Award in 2014-15. In addition to a focus on recruitment, the chapter shows a strong commitment to risk management and meaningful programming; each year, they set aside chapter funds for members to become certified in CPR and undergo OneLove facilitator training, a program dedicated to raising awareness about the signs of relationship abuse.

“During my time at Centre, I have had the unique opportunity to watch the evolution of Epsilon from the early stages of their recolonization to becoming one of the strongest chapters on campus,” one nominator wrote. “They are trailblazers in offering programming that develops members holistically.”

This chapter has a strong spirit of collaboration throughout campus, which is not reserved for fellow fraternities and sororities but extends to other student organizations as well as athletic teams. For the last two years, the chapter has partnered with the women’s field hockey and lacrosse teams by having a dinner and a mini “pep rally” to show support for these athletes and fellow students. “The chapter is a true asset to the Centre College community, and I have no doubt that they will continue to make Centre College and their national organization proud.”

delta upsilon

Kansas State University
Since 2011, the Kansas State Chapter of Delta Upsilon has consistently been among the top chapters in the organization as a Sweepstakes Finalist (top seven chapters in the fraternity) in 2011-16 and receiving the highest honor, the Sweepstakes Trophy Winner in four of those years. This streak is an unprecedented achievement in the Fraternity’s 182-year history.

“They consistently deliver outstanding programs, initiatives and engagement on both the Kansas State University campus and across the country,” one nominator said.

In 2013, the chapter created the Miss K-State competition to raise funds for the Global Service Initiative (GSI), a Delta Upsilon program that provides weeklong service immersion trips to destinations in need of support building communities. Miss K-State is a celebration of outstanding female leaders and role models on campus—contestants participate in four categories, including KSU pride, talent, professional development, and Q&A. The event began five years ago with mainly Panhellenic women signing up to compete, and has become a campus-wide tradition, with Miss K-State serving in official capacities throughout the year as an ambassador of the university on campus and in the community.

In addition to being a leader within its national organization, the chapter also supports several campus and community organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Manhattan and the American Red Cross. The group is split into smaller “service teams” of members who work together to perform a variety of projects throughout the year. The chapter expects members to be active participants in the campus community, with many brothers serving in leadership roles for other student organizations.

“The ultimate representation of how Delta Upsilon exemplifies the fraternal community at Kansas State lies within the men in the chapter,” a campus nominator wrote. “Every time we meet a new Delta Upsilon brother, we know he is living the Four Principles of Delta Upsilon. They possess a high level of character and respect for everyone they meet.”

Pi Kappa PHI

Epsilon Eta Chapter, Winthrop University
“This chapter has consistently embodied what it means to be a part of the fraternal movement,” a campus nominator wrote about Pi Kappa Phi’s Epsilon Eta Chapter at Winthrop University. “They always go above and beyond when it comes to community involvement, recruitment, collaboration, support for other organizations, campus leadership and overall operations. The Epsilon Eta Chapter sets the standard of what it truly means to be a fraternity man.”

Members distinguish themselves at the local and international level by putting service before self and embracing their role in bettering the world around them. Recognized in January 2017 as a recipient of Pi Kappa Phi’s Fraternity Founders’ Award—the highest award for a collegiate chapter—the chapter continually models the way for others. Four members currently serve on the Winthrop IFC executive board, and members of the chapter also serve on the Fraternal Conduct Board and have previously served in leadership roles on the National Hazing Prevention Week and New Member Conference committees.

In addition to co-sponsoring programming on sexual misconduct prevention and the dangers of drunk driving, the chapter continues to plan the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event at Winthrop to support services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse in the local community. “This is a chapter of students who understand fraternity and what it means to live the values we all espouse on a daily basis,” another nominator wrote. “They’ve helped define the fraternity experience at Winthrop University.”

sigma alpha epsilon

PA Phi Chapter, Carnegie Mellon University
“I can speak for the entire Division of Student Affairs when I say that we highly value the contributions that PA Phi has made to our campus,” one nominator said. “They contribute to the personal growth of their members in ways that are far beyond many of their peer organizations, producing outstanding young men who contribute to our campus and community and go on to do remarkable things post-graduation.”

SAE at Carnegie Mellon is known for operating at the highest levels of the fraternal experience. They set the standard for the national organization, and were named one of two 2015-16 recipients of SAE’s highest award, the John O. Moseley Award for Fraternity Zeal for excellence in operations and brotherhood, going beyond expectations and demonstrating true excitement for the Fraternity. In January 2017, they were also named Chapter of the Year at Carnegie Mellon, a recognition that honors excellence in philanthropy, chapter operations and programming, campus involvement and service within the community.

“The PA Phi Chapter is an outstanding chapter of our organization and is not only a model for other SAE chapters around the country, but all fraternities today,” another nominator wrote. “They not only seek opportunities to help their members succeed, but look to improve their campus and their community.”

theta xi

Beta Alpha Chapter, Georgia Institute of Technology
Through their involvement on the IFC executive board and increased support for campus activities and educational programs, the men of Theta Xi at Georgia Tech are reliable and visible contributors to the positive image of the fraternal experience. Their reach on campus extends far beyond fraternity life—from student government leaders to alumni ambassadors, ROTC cadets to undergraduate researchers, they touch the lives of fellow students daily and make a memorable impact.

Beta Alpha Chapter of Theta Xi stands out among other student groups on campus and within their national organization. The chapter was awarded the 2015-16 Memorial Trophy, the highest honor any Theta Xi chapter can receive, and is one of the newest All True Men Chapter, recognizing Beta Alpha for its commitment to leadership and membership education. “These men are true exemplars of our Cardinal Principles, our Oath of Membership and the shared expectations of all fraternity men,” one nominator wrote. “This chapter consistently produces leaders within our fraternity, and as alumni, they go on to be mentors, advisors and lead faculty members for national programs and conventions.”

“What stands out to me as a veteran fraternity and sorority life professional is how these men live their fraternal values each and every day,” a campus nominator wrote. “Although they enjoy a busy social aspect of their experience, they often sacrifice the alcohol component so as to provide a safe haven for any member of the fraternity and sorority community who needs a break from the party. They are gentlemen, represent the best of what Georgia Tech and fraternity man is, participate in Greek and campus community, constantly challenge themselves to a higher standard, and are simply an amazing group of men who I get to work with.”